SPEED FORCE
(JUSTICE LEAGUE, the JUSTICE LEAGUE icon and all names and characters therein are property of and owned by DC Comics and Cartoon Network. Any attempt to use any such property of these companies without their proper authorization and/or permission can and will result in civil liability and criminal prosecution.)
(I do not own JUSTICE LEAGUE, nor am I in any way affiliated with Cartoon Network or DC Comics. I'm just a diehard fan who loves the show.)
(This fanfic is rated PG. It contains mild violence.)
CHAPTER 05 TIME: 0090 hrs. PLACE: Central City Police Station
Much later that night, two figures – one pushing the other in a wheelchair – made their way into the evidence room at the Central City station. "Man, I'm telling you, they'll have my badge for this," one whined.
"Don't worry, Murray," the other coaxed. "By the time this is over, nobody will ever have to know we were even here. Now, where's the machine?"
"It's over here, Zolomon," said Murray, guiding the other cop to the corner of the room, where the machine stood all by itself. "Man, are you sure you wanna go through with this?"
"For the chance to change the past and be able to walk again...why not?" asked Hunter. "Now, what's with the machine? It looks as if someone went through it with a fine-tooth comb."
"Some of the guys pulled the wiring apart, so unless you've got a technological mind, it won't work," explained Murray.
"No worries – I've had some training for situations like this," Hunter assured him. "All I have to do is hotwire this thing the way you'd hotwire a car if you didn't have the keys for it."
Sighing, Murray stepped away and watched while Hunter examined the machine's wiring system. "Hmmm...not too complex, really, at least if you know what you're looking for." He started fooling around with the wires. "Now, let's see here...some of these wires are pretty shot, but if I cross this one with that, and cross this one over here..."
Fifteen minutes later Hunter pulled his wheelchair away from the machine, apparently satisfied. "Now, let's plug 'er in!" he ordered.
Murray complied. Soon, the machine was operative, purring like a satisfied puss. "Now, let's punch in the desired date," said Hunter. As Murray watched, he punched in the date 09.05.1994.
"Why that far back?" Murray asked.
"Believe me, there are lots of things I'd like to change in my past," Hunter admitted. "If I can have the opportunity to change it all, then why not?"
As Hunter rolled the wheelchair up to the machine, Murray suddenly noticed something – the light bulb above their heads was flickering dangerously. "Man, Hunter, we gotta stop this!" he croaked. "I've got a bad feeling – "
"Oh, shuddap!" Hunter snapped. "You are such a pessimist, it's a wonder you got a job as police dispatcher! Have a little faith, would you?!"
"No, man, I'm dead serious! Something is very wrong here!" Murray argued.
"Well, if you don't want to stay, then don't stay. But I'm not backing out now." With that Hunter turned away from Murray, signaling that that was the end of the discussion.
Throwing up his hands in frustration, Murray hurried out of the room, leaving Hunter to do as he would. Hunter himself watched in fascination as the machine started to generate a bright blue portal – the gateway between time periods. "Finally...I can correct the mistake that caused all of this in the first place," he said softly.
That was when things started to become fatal.
Suddenly, without any warning, the wires Hunter had crossed sparked, igniting flames in the system and near the console. However, Hunter had started entering the energy field and was so ecstatic, he didn't even notice. Until – "What the hey?" He sniffed. "Burning?"
Then he shot a look at the wiring system, now completely aflame. "Oh, sh – "
That was all he could muster before the sudden blast of light consumed him.
**************************************************************************** ****************
TIME: 0700 hrs. PLACE: The Watchtower
Flash was going through his wardrobe, searching in vain for something. "Hmmm...no...not that...no..." he muttered.
As he continued his fruitless searching, he heard a voice behind him. "Forgive my intrusion, but...just what are you searching for?" Turning, he came face-to-face with J'onn J'onzz, the Martian Manhunter, the Watchtower's major resident.
"Oh, hey, J'onn," said Flash. He then held up two tuxedos – a standard black one with a suave red bow tie, and an all-white one with a black bow tie. "Say, which one d'you think looks better?"
"Ah...actually, I'm not very big on fashion," said J'onn. "Why do you want to know?"
"Well, you see," Flash explained, "I'm going on a date later tonight. Her name's Linda Park – she's a really hot chick working for Central City Channel 4."
"I see," J'onn replied. He thought for a moment. "Does she know about your identity?"
Flash sighed. "Actually, yes, she already knows."
"You told her?"
"Didn't have to," Flash explained. "Some years ago, she figured it out all on her own while she was doing some investigative reporting that involved me."
"Oh. Well, have fun when the time comes."
Flash looked at him and considered. "You know, you could come along if you wanted to..."
"Thank you, but – I wouldn't want to intrude on your private moment with her. Besides, someone has to stay here and keep watch for any disturbances on Earth."
Just then the doors slid open, and in walked Batman. "Oh, hey, Bats," said Flash by way of greeting.
"Flash, put the tuxedos down and come with me," Batman answered. "There's a news item going on that you might want to see."
Flash put the tuxedos down and, with J'onn following behind him, he went with Batman to the debriefing room. "What's going on?" he asked.
Here Batman indicated the television, which was carrying a news item. "See for yourself," he said.
Flash paid attention to the news at that moment. "Late last night," the anchor was saying, "the Central City police station was partially destroyed by fire. Although the fire brigade was successful in putting out the blaze, officials still have no definitive clue as to the origin of the fire. Also, though there were no casualties in the fire, the damage cost is estimated at nearly $4,000,000."
"Whew! That's some pretty heavy stuff," Flash whistled.
"Just keep listening," Batman urged.
The news anchor continued. "Still in news on Central City, Officer Hunter Zolomon was reported missing just minutes ago by officials at the Central City General Hospital. Officer Zolomon was paralyzed from the waist down in the midst of a battle between Gorilla Grodd and the Justice League yesterday afternoon. If you see Officer Zolomon, or have any knowledge of his whereabouts, please contact 9-1-1."
Stunned, Flash switched off the TV. Batman then asked, "What do you think?"
"Officer Zolomon – Flash, isn't he a friend of yours?" J'onn asked.
At once Flash jumped up and spun around. "Hey, you don't possibly think – " he demanded.
"I'm not saying what I think," Batman said coolly. "But we can't rule out the possibility, either."
"What possibility?"
"That Zolomon arranged to be taken out of the hospital and to have the police station set ablaze," Batman answered. "The only question is, if he is responsible – why?"
"If it is true," said J'onn. "The man was paralyzed, remember?"
"I've known men who were sickly and crippled who turned out to be devious criminals," said Batman.
"NO!" Flash exploded, slamming one fist down on the TV. "He wouldn't – he couldn't – do something like this! No way! I won't hear of it!" With that, he stormed out of the room.
J'onn watched as Flash left in a huff. "It is not easy to stand by and listen while one's friend is being accused of a crime," he observed.
"I know," said Batman. "But, as I said, we can't rule out the possibility. Contact Wonder Woman and Green Lantern – we'll need some help in investigating this."
"What have you in mind?" J'onn asked.
"You and I will investigate this fire – see what clues we can dig up," Batman explained. "Meanwhile, I want them to search for Zolomon."
J'onn nodded. "Understood."
Just then they heard the roars of a jet engine. Looking out the window, Batman was just in time to see the Javelin-7 speeding toward Earth. He sighed. "I just hope Flash has enough sense to do some investigating on his own."
(JUSTICE LEAGUE, the JUSTICE LEAGUE icon and all names and characters therein are property of and owned by DC Comics and Cartoon Network. Any attempt to use any such property of these companies without their proper authorization and/or permission can and will result in civil liability and criminal prosecution.)
(I do not own JUSTICE LEAGUE, nor am I in any way affiliated with Cartoon Network or DC Comics. I'm just a diehard fan who loves the show.)
(This fanfic is rated PG. It contains mild violence.)
CHAPTER 05 TIME: 0090 hrs. PLACE: Central City Police Station
Much later that night, two figures – one pushing the other in a wheelchair – made their way into the evidence room at the Central City station. "Man, I'm telling you, they'll have my badge for this," one whined.
"Don't worry, Murray," the other coaxed. "By the time this is over, nobody will ever have to know we were even here. Now, where's the machine?"
"It's over here, Zolomon," said Murray, guiding the other cop to the corner of the room, where the machine stood all by itself. "Man, are you sure you wanna go through with this?"
"For the chance to change the past and be able to walk again...why not?" asked Hunter. "Now, what's with the machine? It looks as if someone went through it with a fine-tooth comb."
"Some of the guys pulled the wiring apart, so unless you've got a technological mind, it won't work," explained Murray.
"No worries – I've had some training for situations like this," Hunter assured him. "All I have to do is hotwire this thing the way you'd hotwire a car if you didn't have the keys for it."
Sighing, Murray stepped away and watched while Hunter examined the machine's wiring system. "Hmmm...not too complex, really, at least if you know what you're looking for." He started fooling around with the wires. "Now, let's see here...some of these wires are pretty shot, but if I cross this one with that, and cross this one over here..."
Fifteen minutes later Hunter pulled his wheelchair away from the machine, apparently satisfied. "Now, let's plug 'er in!" he ordered.
Murray complied. Soon, the machine was operative, purring like a satisfied puss. "Now, let's punch in the desired date," said Hunter. As Murray watched, he punched in the date 09.05.1994.
"Why that far back?" Murray asked.
"Believe me, there are lots of things I'd like to change in my past," Hunter admitted. "If I can have the opportunity to change it all, then why not?"
As Hunter rolled the wheelchair up to the machine, Murray suddenly noticed something – the light bulb above their heads was flickering dangerously. "Man, Hunter, we gotta stop this!" he croaked. "I've got a bad feeling – "
"Oh, shuddap!" Hunter snapped. "You are such a pessimist, it's a wonder you got a job as police dispatcher! Have a little faith, would you?!"
"No, man, I'm dead serious! Something is very wrong here!" Murray argued.
"Well, if you don't want to stay, then don't stay. But I'm not backing out now." With that Hunter turned away from Murray, signaling that that was the end of the discussion.
Throwing up his hands in frustration, Murray hurried out of the room, leaving Hunter to do as he would. Hunter himself watched in fascination as the machine started to generate a bright blue portal – the gateway between time periods. "Finally...I can correct the mistake that caused all of this in the first place," he said softly.
That was when things started to become fatal.
Suddenly, without any warning, the wires Hunter had crossed sparked, igniting flames in the system and near the console. However, Hunter had started entering the energy field and was so ecstatic, he didn't even notice. Until – "What the hey?" He sniffed. "Burning?"
Then he shot a look at the wiring system, now completely aflame. "Oh, sh – "
That was all he could muster before the sudden blast of light consumed him.
**************************************************************************** ****************
TIME: 0700 hrs. PLACE: The Watchtower
Flash was going through his wardrobe, searching in vain for something. "Hmmm...no...not that...no..." he muttered.
As he continued his fruitless searching, he heard a voice behind him. "Forgive my intrusion, but...just what are you searching for?" Turning, he came face-to-face with J'onn J'onzz, the Martian Manhunter, the Watchtower's major resident.
"Oh, hey, J'onn," said Flash. He then held up two tuxedos – a standard black one with a suave red bow tie, and an all-white one with a black bow tie. "Say, which one d'you think looks better?"
"Ah...actually, I'm not very big on fashion," said J'onn. "Why do you want to know?"
"Well, you see," Flash explained, "I'm going on a date later tonight. Her name's Linda Park – she's a really hot chick working for Central City Channel 4."
"I see," J'onn replied. He thought for a moment. "Does she know about your identity?"
Flash sighed. "Actually, yes, she already knows."
"You told her?"
"Didn't have to," Flash explained. "Some years ago, she figured it out all on her own while she was doing some investigative reporting that involved me."
"Oh. Well, have fun when the time comes."
Flash looked at him and considered. "You know, you could come along if you wanted to..."
"Thank you, but – I wouldn't want to intrude on your private moment with her. Besides, someone has to stay here and keep watch for any disturbances on Earth."
Just then the doors slid open, and in walked Batman. "Oh, hey, Bats," said Flash by way of greeting.
"Flash, put the tuxedos down and come with me," Batman answered. "There's a news item going on that you might want to see."
Flash put the tuxedos down and, with J'onn following behind him, he went with Batman to the debriefing room. "What's going on?" he asked.
Here Batman indicated the television, which was carrying a news item. "See for yourself," he said.
Flash paid attention to the news at that moment. "Late last night," the anchor was saying, "the Central City police station was partially destroyed by fire. Although the fire brigade was successful in putting out the blaze, officials still have no definitive clue as to the origin of the fire. Also, though there were no casualties in the fire, the damage cost is estimated at nearly $4,000,000."
"Whew! That's some pretty heavy stuff," Flash whistled.
"Just keep listening," Batman urged.
The news anchor continued. "Still in news on Central City, Officer Hunter Zolomon was reported missing just minutes ago by officials at the Central City General Hospital. Officer Zolomon was paralyzed from the waist down in the midst of a battle between Gorilla Grodd and the Justice League yesterday afternoon. If you see Officer Zolomon, or have any knowledge of his whereabouts, please contact 9-1-1."
Stunned, Flash switched off the TV. Batman then asked, "What do you think?"
"Officer Zolomon – Flash, isn't he a friend of yours?" J'onn asked.
At once Flash jumped up and spun around. "Hey, you don't possibly think – " he demanded.
"I'm not saying what I think," Batman said coolly. "But we can't rule out the possibility, either."
"What possibility?"
"That Zolomon arranged to be taken out of the hospital and to have the police station set ablaze," Batman answered. "The only question is, if he is responsible – why?"
"If it is true," said J'onn. "The man was paralyzed, remember?"
"I've known men who were sickly and crippled who turned out to be devious criminals," said Batman.
"NO!" Flash exploded, slamming one fist down on the TV. "He wouldn't – he couldn't – do something like this! No way! I won't hear of it!" With that, he stormed out of the room.
J'onn watched as Flash left in a huff. "It is not easy to stand by and listen while one's friend is being accused of a crime," he observed.
"I know," said Batman. "But, as I said, we can't rule out the possibility. Contact Wonder Woman and Green Lantern – we'll need some help in investigating this."
"What have you in mind?" J'onn asked.
"You and I will investigate this fire – see what clues we can dig up," Batman explained. "Meanwhile, I want them to search for Zolomon."
J'onn nodded. "Understood."
Just then they heard the roars of a jet engine. Looking out the window, Batman was just in time to see the Javelin-7 speeding toward Earth. He sighed. "I just hope Flash has enough sense to do some investigating on his own."